8:43 AM,
Nov. 22, 2012

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As Butler coach Brad Stevens prepared for Wednesday night's EA Sports Maui Invitational championship, the opponent looked familiar. Not because Illinois coach John Groce used to be on the Butler staff with Stevens, either.

Stevens said the Fighting Illini resembled the team from his first season as head coach, 2007-08, when the Bulldogs featured 3-point shooters and compiled a 30-4 record.

"They're just bigger, stronger and more athletic than that team was," Stevens said. ...